Chapter 66

Pei Du carefully tucked the osmanthus blossom Little Bird had so meticulously chosen into his pouch.

Seeing Pei Du accept the flower, Shen Jiujiu flopped straight into his palm, stretching out both bird claws and melting from a compact ball into a limp puddle.

Pitch black.

Pei Du stroked downward from the little bird’s head, bit by bit, with his fingertips.

The carriage glided smoothly along. With great patience, Pei Du picked every blade of grass, leaf fragment, and speck of debris from Little Bird Dumpling’s feathers—not overlooking even the tiniest gaps beneath them, combing through each one meticulously. He even wiped the bird’s beak and claws clean with his handkerchief.

Glancing at the osmanthus branch on the low table, Pei Du gauged its size against Shen Jiujiu’s beak. Gently, he set the little bird on his knee and cupped his hands at the sides of its cheeks, massaging in slow, circular motions.

Lord Pei’s ministrations were nothing short of masterful. Shen Jiujiu, who had been mulling over a few romantic lines for the perfect moment, found himself utterly undone, reduced to a series of meaningless chirps and peeps.

Against the crimson hem of Pei Du’s court robe, the little bird’s black tail feathers fanned out like a delicate hand fan.

Shen Jiujiu had indeed flown a good long way with that flower branch clenched in his beak—his wings ached, and his beak was numb—but chasing after one’s heart’s desire was just like that.

Back in the day, he’d often seen guys lighting candles and showing up with flowers under the lecture halls or girls’ dorms, either to walk them to class or see them safely home afterward.

Shen Jiujiu had never been in love before. Pei Du was his first real crush, so he wanted to shower him with every sweet gesture he could imagine.

As for whether Pei Du reciprocated or not, Shen Jiujiu saw no need to rush it.

What difference was there between their lives now and being married?

They even shared the same nest every night.

His benefactor was the stubbornly single-minded sort, impossible to budge once his mind was set. Pushing too hard would only backfire.

Everyone had their hidden sides, and once Shen Jiujiu’s head cleared, he became convinced Pei Du harbored depths he hadn’t yet glimpsed.

No person or bird could wedge between them right now. Once he sorted out every last account in Pei Mansion, tied up all the loose ends at the Marquis Mansion, and reclaimed his true identity…

Shen Jiujiu narrowed his beady bird eyes, chirping coquettishly all the while as he schemed inwardly.

…Then it would be time to gently probe Benefactor about his past.

Yes—understanding each other’s history was just another way to draw closer.

Pei Du’s scratching paused. An inexplicable chill prickled down his back.

In the past, that sensation had always meant someone was plotting against him.

But now…

Lord Pei gazed down at the little bird.

Shen Jiujiu blinked up at Benefactor, the picture of innocence.

Lord Pei’s fingertip poked lightly at Shen Jiujiu’s beak.

Shen Jiujiu pecked back.

Osmanthus petals lay scattered across the low table, their heady fragrance drifting softly through the air. Combined with the fluffy warmth cradled in his palm, it soothed Pei Du’s spirit without his even realizing it.

He studied the inky little bird cake nestled there, a smile tugging at his lips. Delicately, he placed a petal atop Little Bird Dumpling’s head, then trailed golden petals downward in a perfect line.

Shen Jiujiu cracked open one eye and chirped twice, equal parts exasperated and amused.

Benefactor, you’re so childish!

Lord Pei tweaked the tip of a wing. “Doesn’t it look nice?”

The little bird’s brow ridge drooped in a pout.

What, you think a little black bird isn’t cute enough?

Pei Du’s warm chuckle rumbled deep. “Black is lovely. With flowers, it’s even better.”

That rich voice, husky at the edges, sent the little bird’s claws curling and his tail feathers quivering.

Shen Jiujiu rallied, hopping to his feet and prancing across Pei Du’s palm several times. The petals shook loose in a rustling shower, landing right in Pei Du’s hand.

The little bird eyed the petals, then Pei Du, before yielding at last to some primal instinct.

Beneath Pei Du’s watchful gaze, Shen Jiujiu snatched up a petal in his beak, twisted his head, and tucked it into his tail feathers.

In moments, the black Little Bird Dumpling was transformed—a fluffy vision adorned with golden osmanthus flecks.

“Chirp!”

Shen Jiujiu trilled at Pei Du.

Pei Du read the smug vanity in that tiny black face. He leaned down, offering his eyes as a mirror.

Shen Jiujiu admired his reflection in his beloved’s gaze, tilting this way and that before pecking up another petal to nestle into the soft down along his neck.

No necklace? No matter.

A little bird had aesthetics—and ingenuity—in spades.

The carriage brimmed with rosy harmony.

Abruptly, it jolted to a halt. Pei Du pitched forward, his fingers instinctively curling protectively around Little Bird Dumpling.

“What’s the matter?” Pei Du’s tone sharpened with displeasure.

Shen Jiujiu craned his head from the crook of Pei Du’s thumb, curiosity piqued.

Someone dared block Pei Du’s carriage?

Well, actually, that wasn’t so surprising.

His benefactor’s reputation abroad was a curious thing. Though branded a power broker at court, no one dared call him a treacherous minister outright. Among the common folk, tales even circulated of his gentle temperament and aversion to needless harm.

All thanks to an empty rear courtyard, no meddlesome in-laws, and steering clear of factions.

A voice reported from beyond the carriage curtain. “Replying to the master—it’s Zhenguo Marquis Mansion.”

Pei Du: “…”

Shen Jiujiu: “…?”

Hm?

That old codger dared block the Prime Minister’s carriage?

Who gave him the gall?

The little bird wriggled fiercely, desperate to peek out and check if the geezer had strapped a pair of bear gallbladders to his belt.

Pei Du scooped back Shen Jiujiu—whose wing feathers were standing on end—and commanded in a low voice, “Tell Lord Shen the streets are crowded with prying eyes. Pei will pay a visit soon enough. Have him return home first.”

“Yes, sir.”

After a beat, the carriage lurched forward once more.

Shen Jiujiu whipped his head around. “Chirp!”

You’re actually going to visit that old codger?

It’s beneath you!

Undignified!

Pei Du sighed. “Shen Yuan’s latched onto the Heir of Prince Wu. They’ve been thick as thieves lately, coming and going together.”

Shen Jiujiu went still, nestling deeper into Pei Du’s palm.

The little bird pondered.

“This Lord Shen seems deathly afraid of his wastrel son. He remembered my earlier business with Zhong Bo at the mansion and now wants to cozy up to me.”

A note of baffling helplessness colored Pei Du’s words.

“It’s not the first time he’s waylaid me.”

Shen Jiujiu fell silent.

Even someone as sharp as Pei Du must feel that scholar-facing-a-soldier frustration against a fool like Shen Mingqian—dim, clueless, yet bullheadedly persistent.

Shen Mingqian, well…

Uh.

Shen Jiujiu racked his brains trying to sum up the situation, only to realize that this old fogey was far too abstract. He clamped his little bird beak shut and fell silent.

Pei Du looked down at Shen Jiujiu, who had raised his wings to rest against his forehead, and spoke in a placating tone, as if to say they could work this out if Little Bird would just lend a wing. “Xinian, let’s deal with him quickly, all right?”

If not for his desire to give Shen Xinian a chance to resolve his own lingering grudge, Pei Du never would have put up with this for so long.

Yet the more Pei Du held his silence, the more Shen Mingqian seemed to take it as encouragement, pressing forward with even greater zeal.

Pei Du slowly closed his eyes. “He is just… too infuriating.”

What should have been a moment of helpless exasperation instead drew chirping laughter from Shen Jiujiu at the sight of Pei Du’s expression.

Pei Du shot a grumpy glance at the gleeful Little Bird.

Shen Jiujiu snapped his talons together in a crisp little bird salute, slapping his wings against his pitch-black feathered chest.

No problem—leave it to Little Bird!

No sooner had he made the promise than Shen Jiujiu’s beak split into a grin, spilling out another round of chirping chuckles.

Pei Du shook his head. With his fingertip, he poked a small divot into the bird’s fluffy chest and tucked a tiny osmanthus blossom inside.

He paused for a moment.

Then he smiled too.

~~~

The carriage carried them back to the National Duke Mansion, where Pei Du took Shen Jiujiu along to the Inner Courtyard to change clothes.

Thanks to Zhong Bo’s thoughtful arrangements, Shen Xinian’s garments had already made a silent incursion, setting up camp in Pei Du’s bedchamber.

Pei Du had changed into casual attire and was preparing to head to the study when Shen Xinian emerged from behind the screen. Since he had no plans to go out, he hadn’t bothered with a proper ponytail, merely gathering his hair and braiding it haphazardly.

“Come here.” Pei Du frowned deeply. “What kind of mess is that with your hair hanging loose?”

“Oh.”

The corner of Shen Xinian’s mouth quirked up. With surprising compliance, he sat down neatly before the mirror.

Pei Du had meant to summon a maidservant, but when he caught the youth’s expectant gaze reflected in the glass, he hesitated. In the end, he stepped forward and picked up the comb from the dressing table.

The heir to the National Duke Mansion, raised in luxury from childhood, had never combed anyone’s hair before. His movements were clumsy, but so careful that they caused not the slightest discomfort.

Shen Xinian lifted his gaze slightly. “Is Benefactor heading to the study afterward?”

The youth’s silken strands slipped through Pei Du’s palms.

Pei Du murmured, “Mm.”

Shen Xinian went on, “I was thinking of checking the storehouses and the old ledgers. Mother said she’d sorted some of them for me, but the accounts are complicated. She suggested I review them myself to be sure.”

Pei Du: “…”

Something like guilt flickered inexplicably in the man’s eyes. He quickened his pace to finish combing the youth’s hair, then departed with all the panache of a rout.

Shen Xinian took a moment to admire the elegant updo courtesy of Benefactor. When he turned his head, he discovered the room was empty.

Shen Xinian: “?”